Where should i go in Thailand if i want to learn to scuba dive & where would be

[GEO BHOY]

the cheapest?

[the main]

There are some amazing sites off around the small islands off the coast of phuket and great bargain accomodation too, if you want something a little more upmarket there is a lovely island off the coast of Borneo called Kota Kinabalu which is also surrounded by smaller islands with fantastic sites for diving.

[vani3624]

u can consider pattaya too...not far from Bangkok, and not expensive too...

[????]

koh tao















its really beautiful and one of the best places to dive also all the dive resorts there charge the same rate so just pick the place u like the best.















i went to big bubble dive centre which was really good but there are loads more there.















have fun

[michiganwife]

Don't go to Phuket, its a rip off there. Go to Ko Phi Phi. It is well known for that and it is very cheap.

[heppeee]

Ko Tao was an amazing place to learn and it was really cheap. I went through Taa Toh Lagoon and loved it!! I just planned on becoming certified but I ended up containing to the advanced program. The instructors were amazing! I would def recommend them.

[Divehappy.com]

I spent six months living on Koh Tao when I was doing my scuba instructor course in 2004 and it was great... but the diving on the west coast of Thailand is much, much better. More marine life, more coral, much better visibility, the chance of seeing manta rays...































Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are good backpacker options - much cheaper than Phuket which is crazily expensive these days. I've dived with www.godive-lanta.com several times and they are a great bunch of guys. Check their site for PADI Open Water course prices - (the course you need to do to learn to dive).































Alternatively, if you really want to see the good stuff, do a Similan Islands liveaboard for 4 days - the Similan Islands are renown as one of the best places to dive in the world, and definitely the best place to dive in Thailand. The course won't be as cheap because you have to pay for a liveaboard too, but you will have an amazing time and also you'll do a total of 13 dives, which means you'll feel super confident and well-practised in the water - much better than just the four dives you do during the OW course. Check out www.phuket-diving-safaris.com for Similan liveaboards.































I've also written more stuff about diving in Thailand on my own website www.divehappy.com if you want more info.































I'd definitely avoid Pattaya as a place to learn to dive - the viz is awful and there's so many jetskis it's pretty dangerous.































Have fun!

[Free d]

Hi There!































I've dived in all the above mentioned Islands and I must say that the Similan Islands are the most beautiful in Thailand and have the best diving spots! I would recommend you to go on a dive safari on which you can get cetification! I went on a diving safari with SIMILAN DIVERS, its a great company with great equipment and instructors!















Don't look for cheap, look for safety oriented diveshops and beautiful dive spots!































Enjoy your trip! Thailand is beautiful!

[plonske]

Hello everybody, divers...

It depent what you expect during your open water dive cours and your vacation.
When you only want to do the course and talk with other people only about diving 24h/7days, and cheap, go to Koh Tao, Scuba Panet, pro instructors and a great shopmanager.

I like very much Koh Samui, not the biggest dive place of Thailand.
But just between, a little bit diving at daytime and after that family time on the island Samui and spend a great evening in Chaweng, to diner, shopping and party at night.

Cheers Plonske,

[BoerLoy]

Hi there, I agree with Plonske, diving from Samui to Koh Tao is great. Although the other's are correct - you can't beat the Similan Islands for quality dive sites (one after another) however, check the conditions and time of year - the diving can be hard going even for divers who have been diving a while (a lot of strong currents and drift diving) make sure you go with a good operator, small groups.

Samui/Tao is much easier environment to learn in, I would recommend you contact info@a-seadivers.com if you want more info on the Gulf Side - they completed my Open Water to Rescue in there old shop and they have a new operation opening, I got lots of help on other issues not just diving.

Have a great time!